Cal Fire units were first dispatched to the scene of the fire in the 13700 block of Eastlake Drive just before 2:20 p.m. (Courtesy of PG&E)
CLEARLAKE, Calif. - A more than 300-acre brush fire was burning in Clearlake on Sunday, though fire crews stopped forward progress by the evening.
Cal Fire units were first dispatched to the scene of the fire in the 13700 block of Eastlake Drive just before 2:20 p.m., according to a department statement.
The fire was initially reported to be burning in about three to four acres of brush with two buildings involved, but Cal Fire issued an update just after 3 p.m. announcing the fire had jumped to 10 to 15 acres in size.
Cal Fire requested the Lake County Sheriff’s Office issue evacuation warnings for residents in the areas south of the fire.
"There has been a significant augmentation of resources dispatched to the fire," Cal Fire said on X.
At least 15 fire engines, six air tankers and two helicopters were assigned to help douse the flames, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire confirmed to KTVU about 3:20 p.m. that the fire had grown to about 100 acres. The agency then reported at 4 p.m. that the fire had been mapped at 287 acres, and was 0% contained.
Cal Fire provided updated figures at 5 p.m., reporting that the fire had grown to 340 acres, but that crews had reached about 5% containment.
"The fire has been exhibiting moderate to erratic fire behavior with short-range spotting, but crews are making progress," Cal Fire reported. "Multiple structures are threatened with fire engines assigned to structure protection."
The agency reported at 7 p.m. that forward progress of the fire had been stopped, and it was 25% contained.
Fire crews were set to remain on scene throughout the night and over the next few days to strengthen containment lines and completely douse the flames.